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Translated Russian Newspaper Article about Griner’s condition in detention

March 18, 2022 by admin

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A famous American basketball player was found in a Russian pre-trial detention center: the US consul abandoned her

 

If it were not for the events in Ukraine, then, probably, the detention and arrest in Russia, at Sheremetyevo Airport of American Britney Griner, the famous athlete, two-time Olympic champion, would have been a sensation No. 1 in the world.

But as it is, it is – at the moment, the American consul has not been able to visit with one of the most famous basketball players on the planet to make sure that she was all right. So far, only two Russian lawyers are involved in her defense. The conditions of detention of 31-year-old Britney Griner were checked by human rights activists, members of the Public Monitoring Commission of the Moscow Region, among them a special correspondent for Russian MK Newspaper.

Britney Griner was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport in February. In her luggage, customs officers, according to media reports, found vapes with cannabis oil. In Russia, using hash oil is a crime, and in any doses and purposes. A service dog trained on drugs detected narcotics in the luggage of Griner who had flown from New York to Moscow. Now the two-time Olympic champion – in Rio in 2016 and in Tokyo in 2020 – faces up to 10 years in prison for drug possession and smuggling.

To Russia for millions

Information about the incident was widely disseminated by the media on March 5, when the decision to arrest Griner was made by a court in Khimki. Now American politicians are trying to link the criminal case against Griner with the aggravated relations between Russia and the West. However, this does not affect her position, who is currently in one of the pre-trial detention centers in the Moscow region.

She flew from New York to Russia to play for one of the leading basketball teams in our country. Griner earns more than $1 million a year – playing for the Yekaterinburg Basketball Club.

“Phoenix Mercury center Britney Griner is one of the most prominent WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) players of all time. Now she is in custody in Russia, and this situation not only threatens her security in a deep global crisis, but also exposes the problems of professional women’s basketball in America.”

Apparently, Greiner plays in Russia for financial reasons. In the offseason, many WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) stars compete in other countries during the off-season simply because it is several times more profitable than at home. For several weeks, the Griner family, her business and legal representatives, the WNBA, the NBA and some players were aware of the problem with Russian law, but avoided drawing attention to Griner so as not to provoke.

The American consul is in no hurry

Everything, as usual, is an ordinary weekday, here the prisoners are talking on a landline phone, others are going to court in the temporary detention center. The institution where Britney is located functions not only as a colony, but also as a pre-trial detention center. They are waiting for the American consul, he must come at least someday. In the end, their citizen was detained, and even a celebrity. But the diplomat does not seem to be in a hurry.

             This detention center houses Brittney Griner. Photo Ekaterina Sazhneva

 

Although the Israeli consul, for example, regularly visited a citizen of his country, 26-year-old Naama Issahar – she, as many probably remember, was also detained at the airport with hashish in 2019. The Issachar case and the Griner case are almost a blueprint except that Britney flew directly to Russia, where she has been living and working for several years, that is, she could in advance take an interest in our laws.

In the case of Naama Issachar, an unremarkable girl, unfolded before the pandemic and all this world confusion, therefore, it caused an unprecedented public outcry. On October 19, 2019, rallies were held in Tel Aviv and New York demanding her release. The President of Israel personally addressed the head of the Russian Federation with a request to pardon Naama. And the Prime Minister of Israel apologized to Vladimir Putin for Issachar and also asked for her release. Also, the mother of the arrested woman achieved a personal meeting with the President of Russia. In general, they saved Naama at the level of heads of state. As a result, she wrote a petition for pardon to Putin, he accepted it, and on January 30, 2020, the Israeli woman flew on a private plane of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sarah Netanyahu to her home. I remember how Issachar drew, taught her cellmates to do yoga, in general, tried to be positive, despite the fact that her nerves were at the limit.

Sleeping with legs crossed

People in the colony are used to celebrities of all kinds. Although, of course, there are certain nuances. For example, Britney’s height is 2 meters 6 centimeters. The bed on the second tier, where she sleeps, is designed for a maximum of 1.80, and even the foot of the bed itself is limited by bars, so you can’t stretch your legs up to the wall. However, the bed is standard, as it should be according to the house rules. Britney is not discouraged. She is generally very peaceful and calm. As if nothing had happened to her at all – well, yes, she ended up in prison, well, yes, snow-covered Russia outside the window, well, that’s how it happens, there is nothing special here.

– Have you ever been in a prison before, Britney? – we ask her. – You somehow do not look shocked and alarmed. – Yes, my father worked in the police, and my brother was in prison, – she spreads her hands.

– And how, is there a difference between the places of detention in our country and in yours? – Yes, prisons are very different. If I were in America, they could probably release me on bail now.

Her shoes are size 53. And a dimensionless dark jacket, to which multi-colored stripes are sewn – red, black, yellow, green. “Blacks live for the world, that’s what it says on them,” explains Britney Greiner. She is also, most likely, an activist of the extremely popular BLM social movement in the states, she opposes racism and violence against blacks. The same movement when African Americans force whites to kneel and apologize for the behavior of their slave-owning ancestors.

– How do you sit with white neighbors? – I nod at the cellmates of the basketball player.

-“Oh, no problem, I like white people,” she exclaims.

There are two cellmates – Olya and Alena. Olya is 21, Alena is 28. Both are here under the “people’s” article 228 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, that is, for the same drugs. They speak English and therefore can communicate with a foreigner. Pioneers. Human rights activists do not have the right to be interested in the details of their criminal cases, but most often the so-called “mortgagers”, that is, young people who are used as intermediaries between sellers and buyers of illicit drugs, are serving time in this composition.

– Do you have enough food? Are you well fed? Are the portions small? – we bombard the athlete with questions.

“No. Everything is fine. There is enough food. -I ate noodles with milk for breakfast today. And for the first time I tried this, like her, buckwheat. We don’t have that kind of grain.”

– Do you receive transmissions? – Yes. There is no problem with this. I have two lawyers that I am allowed to meet with.

– Did you manage to contact your relatives in the USA? There is such a paid service of the Federal Penitentiary Service-letter, you write an electronic news to whom you want. You are answered. You can even write in English, however, in this case you will have to wait for some time, according to the law, the translator will have to check the content. – I know about it. But, unfortunately, in America it is impossible to register on this site, so I have not spoken with relatives, – the Olympic champion sighs.

 

She has two books that the lawyer brought. This is a biography of the Rolling Stones and in English Dostoyevsky.

“Demons,” Olya explains the name to me.

– “Demons”? Isn’t it “Demons”?

– A, accurately “Demons”!

Britney doesn’t speak Russian at all. Not a single word, although she played in Russia for several years. “It was just that translators were always there,” she explains. The same Naama Issachar for six months in a Russian pre-trial detention center spoke the great and mighty quite decently.

But Britney either does not understand that, according to her article, she faces up to 10 years in prison, or keeps her face well. At least until she learns the language.

“I lost track of time in the temporary detention center, where I spent about ten days until they sent me here,” she sighs.

A flat-screen TV hangs in the cell – this is a must for women. It shows up to twenty channels and switches centrally by clock in all chambers. News is coming, but it’s frankly scary to watch, and yesterday we got to the “Magnificent Century”. The story about the inhabitants of the harem of the Turkish Sultan, as they say, really liked.

Another of the entertainments is to walk in the walking yard and bath twice a week. The night before, Britney was playing Battleship with her neighbors. They also have such a game in America, but it’s a board game, but here it’s school-style in a checkered notebook. “Once I won, another she,” picks up the second neighbor Alena.

What’s next for Britney? Still, up to ten years. And it seems that the United States is not very eager to save its citizen. For now, Britney needs to think about simple and affordable household items in order to simply save herself. For example, how to cut off the cut-off the locs generously scattered on her head.

So far I can wash them once every two weeks with shampoo that her lawyer brings. If, Griner stay behind bars drags on, something will also need to be done about this.

PS The famous American basketball player Britney Griner arrested in Russia is called a political prisoner in the US press. Without any reliable information, the media publish articles about how hard it is for her behind bars.

Meanwhile, in the future, her situation can be improved. Moreover, Griner can even return to her homeland.

There are convicts in the United States with Russian passports, who otherwise have no chance of returning home. Why not trade one of them for Britney?

Is such an exchange of prisoners possible in principle, says human rights activist Ivan Melnikov, vice president of the Russian branch of the International Committee for the Protection of Human Rights.

– Ivan, how many citizens are held in places of deprivation of liberty in our country and in the United States? – Russians in America, I suppose, about 2.5 thousand. We have much fewer Americans, about 10 people: Trevor Reed, Britney Griner, Paul Willan, Mark Vogel and others.

– Many Russians who sit there are well-known personalities. – Yes, this is Viktor Bout, who was sentenced in 2012 in the United States to 25 years in prison, and Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot involved in a diplomatic incident between Russia and the United States. In 2010, he was arrested in Liberia as part of the Relentless operation and extradited to the United States without proper documents, later Yaroshenko said that he had been tortured.

They were recently joined by Vladislav Klyushin, accused of trading insider information, but the US is said to have detained him to obtain information about the time he worked on a monitoring system for the presidential administration.

What needs to be done to make this exchange possible? – I sent appeals to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation personally to Sergey Lavrov and the US Secretary of State with a proposal to return to the issue of a possible exchange and provide assistance so that appropriate measures are taken. Being so far from home and in such difficult conditions is always a concern for our citizens, Yaroshenko and Bout, as far as I know, are now experiencing serious health problems, and because of the imposed sanctions, it is impossible to send money for medicines to them. I understand that relatives cannot send money to American prisoners in the Russian Federation either.

– Britney Griner opened an account, and her lawyer transferred some amount for purchases in a store at the SIZO.

– But, of course, this should not be regulated in each specific case, but in general, a regulation should be adopted that makes transfers for imprisoned foreigners possible. If it is possible to remove all bureaucratic obstacles as quickly as possible and exchange our prisoners, then this must be done. Everyone is waiting for their loved ones at home. Both in America and in Russia.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Brittney griner, freebg, griner, phoenix mercury, wnba

Dear BG,

March 11, 2022 by admin

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None of us can even begin to imagine how you’re feeling right now. I know I can’t. Many of us have played in Russia and know all too well how dark and grim that country can sometimes be, especially in the winter. But as I sit here and think of you, I can only think about the joy you bring to so many people. Young girls and boys look up to you with amazement. They really can’t believe how tall you are, that you’re a real person. Even adults are in awe; they either push for a picture or an autograph or just stop and stare.

People love watching you play. The Mighty Mercury would do anything for you. They love their players! You really are larger than life. I just wish people really knew you. I wish they knew how you take the time to speak to people, to smile and laugh with kids, how considerate and compassionate you can be. How you’d give the clothes off your back to someone in need. They don’t get to see that side of you. They only see what the media shows, and assumptions people make on their own, but we know you, your basketball sisters know you and guess what? We have your back! I mean we REALLY have your back.

The abundance of love and support around this situation has been powerful to say the least. From the top to the bottom, we are aligned, and we just want you home safe and sound! Nothing else matters. #FREEBG is catchy, but this isn’t just some trending moment or a hashtag, this is your life, and we genuinely care. Not sure what news you’re catching over there, if any at all, but my hope is that you feel the outpouring of concern, support, attention, and love coming from us. Maybe you’re confined to some hotel or something for now. I don’t even let my mind wander to anything other than that but wherever you are and whatever you are feeling, I hope that you are safe and that someone is showing you care.

This situation sucks and we honestly don’t even know what’s true, but I hope that this is a lesson for us all to show grace. For our community to come together and understand that life is much bigger than sport, but sport is what connects us all. Through trials and tribulations, through the highs and the lows, the one thing that has the power to bring people together is sport and Britt we are thinking about you, we love you and we can’t wait to have you back!

-Mo

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Brittney griner, phoenix mercury, russia, sisterhood, wnba

Could Athletes Unlimited be the ‘G League’ of the WNBA?

January 24, 2022 by admin

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In October of 2021, Athletes Unlimited, a player driven all-new model for pro athletes and sports, announced the launch of a new basketball league for women set to begin later this week. Received with great enthusiasm, the league will run for about a month from January 26th to February 26th, 2022. The first season is being held at Athletes Unlimited Arena at the Sport Center of Las Vegas. AU’s season doesn’t conflict with the WNBA’s season which usually kicks off in May. This allows current WNBA players to compete in the AU league. Instead of a league counter to the W, which isn’t the goal, Athletes Unlimited has the potential to serve as a ‘G-League’ for women to develop and display potential talent for future opportunity in the WNBA.

The league started with the signing of current Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud and former WNBA players Sydney Colson and Tamara Young. Since its announcement, the league has grown to include 11 current WNBA players and 16 who have WNBA experience. 44 total players will compete in the league where there are no set teams; instead, each week four players draft their squads for the week in a fantasy sports format that awards individual points.

This unorthodox approach to a professional league just may bring the added attention and opportunity women’s basketball continues to garner. It will afford players the chance to stay home and compete instead of playing abroad during the WNBA off season. More importantly, Athletes Unlimited could be used as a steppingstone for players to showcase their talent to WNBA General Managers and Head Coaches. If there were some sort of collaboration in the future between the WNBA and AU, W teams could assign players to the AU league to allow time for development. This would alter the history of players basically being dismissed from the radar of the W if you don’t make a roster during training camp.

The WNBA has 12 teams for a total of 144 players. With the league being the size that it is, for now, many talented players don’t have a real shot at making a team. This is especially the case for players who may not be WNBA “ready” but have great potential. Look at Shay Peddy, current Mercury guard who found success in the league seven years after playing overseas. Imagine if there was an opportunity for her to develop stateside with the eyes and expertise of the W.

Of the 11 WNBA players competing next week, several are currently free agents. AU could also be a platform for players on the market to display their talents to other teams during Free Agency. Courtney Williams, who last played for the Atlanta Dream, is on the market for a team and although her game speaks for itself, it would be an opportunity for her to wow a team with her play and perhaps convince them to take a chance on a player who has had a few controversies off the court in the past.

Tianna Hawkins who also played for the Dream last season was recently waived and is on the market for a new team. AU would give her the chance to display her skills beyond what she was able to contribute last season. Hawkins started 8 games for the Dream and averaged 5 points per game and 3 rebounds per game; a far cry from some of the success Hawkins had in the past where she played a major role during the Mystics championship season in 2019.

Odyssey Sims, is another former Dream player who is an Unrestricted Free Agent and will compete in the AU league. Restricted Free Agent Lexie Brown, who recently re-signed with the 2021 WNBA Champs Chicago Sky has also signed up. Mercedes Russell, who Seattle is expected to re-sign has the opportunity to show more than the role she was assigned to with the Storm. Potentially, Russell can display a skillset unseen which may bring more suitors to the table. In addition to current W players, you have Imani McGee-Stafford who hasn’t played in the W since the 2019 as she pursues her law degree. Dallas has her rights but being away from the game will give her the opportunity to get back into the swing of competing on a team.

There are also non-league players competing who are certainly hoping it may lead to a training camp contract this summer. Although most women take their talents overseas to compete in European and Asian leagues during the off-season, AU could potentially create a space for players to stay stateside and continue to play the game they love in the U.S.. I’ll refer to a tweet recently sent by Dallas Wings forward Isabelle Harrison who has been interning with the Dallas Mavericks this fall and will compete in the AU league where she had 20 & 12 in her scrimmage debut last weekend lightheartedly said;

Although said in jest, I can assure you that if given the opportunity, along with financial incentive, WNBA players would much rather compete stateside than be away from friends and family for months at a time to play the game they love. Athlete’s Unlimited will play nationally televised basketball games on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2 ,and on Bally Sports’ regional sports networks be sure to tune in!

 

-Monique Currie

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Filed Under: Blog, WNBA Tagged With: athletes unlimited, wnba, wnba free agency

*VIDEO* ADIDAS ‘When Creators Unite, She Breaks Barriers’

December 11, 2018 by admin

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December 11, 2018

On Monday during the NFL’s weekly Monday Night Football game, Adidas released their latest ad to empower women and girls in sport. It’s core message is that sports brings confidence and with confidence brings tomorrow’s leaders. All women should be given the opportunity to participate and break barriers in sport. WNBA champion Candace Parker who is one of Adidas’ most famous athletes is featured in the ad. To show their commitment, Adidas released an open letter to its employees and to communities around the country. The letter called on everyone to join the effort and together, level the playing field and co-create the future of women’s sport. Follow the brand’s initiative with the hashtag #creatorsunite. She Breaks Barriers film below.

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Filed Under: Blog, Videos, WNBA Tagged With: adidas, candace parker, la sparks, she break barriers, sparks, video, watch, when creators unite, wnba

Perception is Real: Candice Wiggins Truth

February 22, 2017 by admin

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February 21, 2017

On Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune released a candid interview with recently retired WNBA player Candice Wiggins entitled ‘Wiggins: WNBA’s ‘harmful’ culture of bullying, jealousy’. From the moment the article was released social media was in an uproar about the claims Wiggins makes about her experiences during her eight-year career in the WNBA. From current players calling the article “just disappointing” or finding it “hard to believe”, to former players flat out saying “It’s both bullshit and it’s EXTREMELY problematic.” Many simply referred to it as #FakeNews.

In the article Wiggins proclaims that her entry into the WNBA, as many would assume, was not a dream come true and that in fact “it was quite the opposite.” She describes the culture of the WNBA as “very very harmful” and claims that she was bullied throughout her career. Wiggins continued to take digs at the 20 year old league, calling it a “survival league” that she said still struggles for attention and legitimacy. “Nobody cares about the WNBA. Viewership is minimal. Ticket sales are very low. They give away tickets and people don’t come to the game.”

According to wnba.com, the WNBA’s historic 20th season “scored its highest attendance in five years and included record marks for WNBA digital, social media and retail.” 

Wiggins says that she experienced jealousy because of the way she looked and played and that players deliberately tried to “hurt her all of the time” because of this.“There were horrible things happening to me every day,” she said. The extensive interview then took a turn for the worse when Wiggins equated her mistreatment to her sexuality.

“Me being heterosexual and straight, and being vocal in my identity as a straight woman was huge,” Wiggins said. “I would say 98 percent of the women in the WNBA are gay women. It was a conformist type of place. There was a whole different set of rules they (the other players) could apply.

Wiggins had enough of the toxic and jealous culture of the WNBA and thus decided to retire after eight seasons in the league. A storied professional career, riddled with numerous injuries, where she won a WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2011, Wiggins has moved on to other career aspirations, one being an author where she plans on releasing an autobiography based on her journals as a player. Although this interview caused quite the stir, maybe, just maybe, these experiences were real. 

Let’s talk about the pink elephant in the room. Everyone knows the WNBA has a lot of players that identify as gay. 98%? It’s fair to say that’s a stretch, however, it’s also fair say that during a span of eight years in the WNBA there were possibly more gay players than non-gay players. Does this matter in the grand scheme of things? No. But it does matter to someone that is not in the majority. Perception is real. We all live in our own realities by virtue of how we perceive and understand things and for Wiggins, this was her reality.

What if the tables were turned? How does the one or two gay people feel in a locker room full of heterosexuals? Perhaps this is why there are no “out” male professional athletes in the NBA or the NFL. If Wiggins perceived her maltreatment to stem from her femininity in a league that “encouraged women to look and act like men in the NBA,” if she was bullied because she was “proud to be a woman,” then these feelings are real and we cannot discount what she felt. This was her perception.

What does it feel like to be in the minority? Although the WNBA is one of the most deliberately accepting and engaging professional leagues in the world, Wiggins felt like a minority and thus alienated. This could be her own doing but again, this is how she felt. If Wiggins was reminded daily (People were deliberately trying to hurt me all of the time), that she was different, that can be discouraging and even embarrassing. “My spirit was being broken,” Wiggins said and perhaps we need to make sure that no player ever has to go through what Wiggins went through. Yes there is competition, probably some jealousy too, but this is sports! It’s a competition.

But before she gets a pass for bashing the very league that gave her the platform to even make her feelings relevant, before she makes statements that some would call false and stereotypical statements about a group of women who sacrifice year-round to uphold the values and legacy of the WNBA, Wiggins needs to check her privilege at the door, and not group her very unfortunate personal experiences on an entire group of women and in the next breath say but um “I’m not trying to crush anyone’s dreams or aspirations, or the dreams of the WNBA. I want things to be great…” If you want things to be great then start with accountability first and maybe ask yourself what did I do to make the atmosphere better for future players.

I can say in my eleven seasons in the WNBA I’ve never witnessed the kind of bullying Wiggins describes in her interview. This does not mean it did not happen but I’m proud to be apart of a league that supports inclusion and celebrates all players regardless of their race, religion or sexuality. We are a family made up of players that love and respect the game of basketball. We are dedicated to growing the game and our league through integrity, honesty and hardwork. I feel awful that Candice had these experiences while playing in the WNBA but I encourage her to not only speak out about the negative aspects of her career but also shed light on how we can prevent this from ever happening again. The WNBA gave you a platform to emerge as an advocate for HIV/AIDS in which you have a very personal connection. The WNBA supported you, worked with you, gave you a voice. Why now? Why bring down the league you say you want to be successful? Why not uplift, advocate, and encourage young women to be themselves as you were during your playing days. Let young girls know that it’s ok to be “different”, teach them how to overcome, how to survive and to come out on top. Your voice will be much more appreciated and received that way.

In a world where we are already so divided I think it is important for people to tell their stories and to share their experiences. It’s equally important for people to listen and to care. I commend Candice Wiggins for telling her story and I look forward to seeing how she uses her experiences to to ensure this never ever happens to anyone again.

—Monique Currie

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Filed Under: Blog, WNBA Tagged With: candice wiggins, wnba

Why Delle Donne Wants Out of Chicago!

December 17, 2016 by admin

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After four seasons with the Chicago Sky forward Elena Delle Donne wants out.

December 17, 2016

What is it about Chicago and the WNBA? Why can’t Chicago keep their Star Players in the Windy City? Can’t blame it on the weather; the weather in Chicago in the summer is amazing! Violence? No issues ever reported. Winning? They played in the 2014 WNBA finals… So what is it? Delle Donne isn’t the first superstar to bolt from All-State’s empty arena. It started with Candice Dupree who left after four seasons with the Sky. Third pick Kristi Toliver was next to sever ties with the Sky after only a single season with the team. Epiphanny Prince was traded to the NY Liberty after five seasons with the Sky but she also wanted out. In 2015 Sylvia Fowles said she would rather NOT play in the WNBA than to play for the Chicago Sky and that she did until she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx. Now Delle Donne; Olympic champion, WNBA MVP, scoring leader and All-Star hinted at her desire to suit up for another WNBA team in the near future. In an interview with VICE SPORTS, Delle Donne said that she would come to a decision soon about where she wants to play next, and is prepared to sit out the 2017 season if necessary to facilitate a move to her preferred destination.

This has to be an eerie feeling for the Sky who dealt with the same issue in 2015 before dealing Fowles to the Minnesota Lynx. Delle Donne has the star power and the skills to make any team attempt to give up their entire roster for a chance to secure arguably the best forward in the WNBA. Will the Sky do like the Lakers did in 2007 when Kobe Bryant demanded to be traded? A deal never worked out and Bryant went on to win two more titles with the Lakers after bringing in Pau Gasol. Are the Sky simply one player away from winning a championship? At this point I don’t think that even matters. Delle Donne is out of Chicago.

“Some things will be moving forward for me,” Delle Donne said about the off-season ahead. “I’ve loved playing with my teammates. There’s a great group of young women there. And hopefully with Amber [Stocks, whom the Sky named head coach on Tuesday] and a new system, it’ll be great for them. But for me, wherever I end up, I’ll be ready to play basketball.”

Her words are already removed from what the Sky have going on. If this were the NBA it wouldn’t be such a huge deal but this is the WNBA and its rare that a player of this caliber changes teams. That has to be crushing to the Sky organization who have done everything in their power to make the Sky visible in Chicago and competitive in the league. However, something is missing and we want to know what it is. Players don’t leave organizations just because. Yes all players want a chance to win a championship but any team Delle Donne is on has a real chance at winning one.  One thing Delle Donne can look forward to after leaving the Sky is winning a championship. Dupree, Fowles and Toliver have all won championships since leaving Chicago. Delle Donne is a restricted free agent this year which means that she can entertain offers from other teams but the Sky have the chance to match any offer she receives which they certainly will. Perhaps they will make a trade. I can think of a few deals that could work out in their favor assuming they have no other choice. The Washington Mystics or the NY Liberty could be Delle Donne’s next stop. She would be closer to home and her family who she is extremely close with. Washington would be ideal! Anytime the Sky play at the Verizon Center Delle Donne’s fans from Delaware show up in droves to support their the former fighting Blue Hen. Even if neither one of those teams are her next destination, I’m sorry to break the news to you Sky fans, but Chicago definitely will not be it.

Let us know what you think in the comments… 

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Filed Under: Blog, WNBA Tagged With: chicago sky, elena delle donne, wnba

WNBA Players Open New Franchise!

November 19, 2016 by admin

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riss-and-ab

Alana Beard and Marissa Coleman at their Mellow Mushroom location in Roanoke, Virginia.

November 18, 2016

Former teammates and longtime friends Alana Beard and Marissa Coleman recently embarked on an endeavor together outside of basketball. Marissa currently plays in the WNBA for the Indiana Fever and Alana just finished a championship season with the LA Sparks. Once teammates for both the Washington Mystics and the LA Sparks, they are teamed up yet again, but this time the playing field has completely changed. The two are co-owners of Mellow Mushroom, a pizza restaurant chain that serves up “fresh stone baked pizzas to-order in an eclectic, art-filled and family-friendly environment.”

Having their grand opening just three weeks ago Alana and Marissa are ready to take on the challenges of being franchisees. For Beard, franchising has always been a goal of hers. Early on, she studied the franchise industry and business models that were of interest to her. However, it was Marissa who connected her with a family friend who has over 30 years of experience in the franchising industry and from there the chance to become partners in business began.  [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Blog, WNBA Tagged With: alana beard, marissa coleman, mellow mushroom, wnba

Undefeated Sparks and Lynx Clash Tuesday Afternoon! Who You Got?

June 21, 2016 by admin

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June 20, 2016

11-0

Both the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx have already made history this season. Both teams are currently undefeated; The Lynx are 12-0 and the Sparks are 11-0. After tomorrow’s afternoon game only one team will remain undefeated in the WNBA and it’s difficult to guess which one will continue on without a loss. Already, tomorrow’s matchup will be historic. It will be the first time in history that two teams from the WNBA, NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL have met with each team having 10+ wins, no losses and no ties. Let’s break it down a bit to see if we can get any closer to figuring out who may come out on top.

The Sparks and the Lynx are pretty evenly matched statistically. The Lynx lead the WNBA in points per game averaging 87.8 with 48.6 FG pct. while the Sparks are not too far behind with 86.9 points per game but with a little higher shooting percentage at 49.8%. Both teams also share the ball pretty evenly with the Lynx averaging 20.7 assists per game and the Sparks 21.1. If you pulled up both team’s stats you’d see that their averages are pretty much the same across the board. There really aren’t any major differences in their performance as a team. I guess defensively, the Lynx give up more points to their opponents. Against the Lynx teams average 74.2 points while against the Sparks, opposing teams’ average  71.4. Again, not a huge difference.

Individually, Maya Moore is currently 3rd in the league in scoring with an average of 19.7 points per game.  For the Sparks Nneka Ogwmike is 7th in the league in scoring at 17.6 and Candace Parker rounds out the top 10 with 16.5 points per game. There are four olympians in the starting lineup for the Lynx. Moore, Augustus, Whalen and Fowles will all compete for a gold medal this summer in Brazil. The Sparks don’t have any American olympians on the squad for the games in Rio but the snub of leaving 2-time gold medalist Candace Parker off the team is still fresh in the minds of us all. Ogwmike is having an amazing season for the Sparks! She has been Ms. Consistent this season and recently broke the WNBA record for field goals made in a game without a miss.  She hit all 12 of her shots in their win against the Dallas Wings earlier this month. Alana Beard, who has struggled with injury in the past is playing some of her best basketball these days. She has been a lock down defender for the Sparks and will force Moore to work to get the shots that she wants. Toliver is shooting almost 47% from the 3pt line while averaging 14 points per game. The X-Factor for the Sparks is Jantel Lavender who is very effective coming off the bench. She’s shooting over 50% from the field and forces defenses to rotate because she has a great mid range jumper. In order for LA to win this game their bench has to outplay the Lynx’s bench. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Blog, WNBA Tagged With: la sparks, minnesota lynx, wnba

Moriah Jefferson Adopts a New Pup; Kobie!

June 13, 2016 by admin

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June 12, 2016

Moriah and Kobie

Moriah and Kobie at Pets Alive in San Antonio.

Earlier this month a few of the San Antonio Star’s players visited Pets Alive, an animal shelter which prides itself on being a community that saves at least 90% of the animals that enter its shelter system. The players were there to help promote an adoption drive the shelter was holding. Moriah Jefferson, the Stars first-round draft pick, was on hand to help out with the drive but found herself doing a bit more than volunteering. Moriah, who loves animals, found herself gravitating towards one of the dogs that were up for adoption. Ginger, a golden retriever mix, with light eyes and floppy ears won her heart. “As soon as I saw her I looked into her eyes and after that I was hooked. I didn’t think I was going to leave without her that day,” says Moriah about her first encounter with Ginger, who now goes by the name Kobie. Check out Moriah at the dog park with best friend Deysha and teammate Mo Currie, as she begins her journey as a new “mom”.

Gimme Some Mo: Kobie from DJ on Vimeo.

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Filed Under: Blog, WNBA Tagged With: Moriah Jeffereson, Pets Alive, wnba

When Fashion and Sports Collide WNBA Player Takes Gameday Wardrobes To New Heights

May 31, 2016 by admin

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May 31, 2015

When Fashion and Sports Collide WNBA Player Takes Gameday Wardrobes To New Heights

If you’ve watched the NBA playoffs lately, other than Stephen Curry’s amazing three-point range, the chatter in the social atmosphere is all about what the players are wearing to the game. Players such as Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, are taking fashion and style to a new level with their unique and edgy off-court couture. But the men aren’t the only ones wowing fans with their gameday wardrobes. Take WNBA’s power forward Crystal Langhorne. The Seattle Storm’s starter is not only a threat on the court, but her chic and sassy style has been noticed by many for quite some time. A lefty, who sports career averages of 12 points, 7 rebounds, there’s another side of Crystal that you may not know about.  The 6’2” forward sense of style is changing the look of the WNBA one pre-game get-up at a time.  Last season, Crystal seemed to start a trend by posting snapshots of her gameday fits on social media. A great idea to share her love for fashion and to give fans a glimpse into her stylish ways. Like many others, I wanted to learn more about Crystal’s passion for fashion and her well-thought-out wardrobe which she maintains throughout the season, even on the road! Here’s what she had to say. Crystal has created her own fashion blog (Crystal’s Closet) where we will get a chance to see what she’s been wearing during the season. A special treat, we will even get to know where she purchased her items from! Make sure you check out her first blog post here.

 

What made you decide to start a blog about your fashion? 

I decided to start a blog because I wanted to have a fashion source for athletes, especially the taller ones. I’ve had people reach out to me about where I’ve gotten some of my clothing because finding clothing for tall women can be difficult. This blog will help women find better clothing options for themselves. People are interested in seeing basketball players off the court. People just don’t want to see basketball players playing basketball. People love seeing NBA players game day outfits and I want to do the same thing for the ladies. Andrew Defrancesco knows the best ways to make sure a businness is going great

Have you always been into fashion? If so, what was it about fashion that made you interested. If not, when did you start getting into fashion and why?
I wouldn’t say I’m into fashion as much as I’m into my appearance, if that makes sense. Your appearance is the first thing people see and I’ve always wanted to present myself in a good way. I like to look well put together which I guess makes me “fashionable”.
 langhorne
 Where is your favorite place to shop?
My favorite place would be Zara, but I also love Mango, H&M, Nordstrom rack, and Long Tall Sally.
What do you find most difficult  (personally) about being fashionable? 
The most difficult thing I find about is that people expect you to be stuck up because you like to dress up. I’ve never understood why dressing nice meant you weren’t nice.
Being over 6 feet tall how and where are you able to find clothes that fit you perfectly?
I shop at certain stores like Long Tall Sallys, Asos and Top Shop both tall line these are stores where I get my main go to’s. For a lot of other stuff I get it tailored. I may let out a hem on a pair of pants. I just try a lot of things on. Sometimes i’ll try a jumpsuit on that not tall and luckily it will fit.
What is something that should be in everyone’s closet?
I believe a blazer should be in everyone’s closet. It’s a piece that can be worn so many ways.
 crystal langhorne 3
What is your signature piece of clothing?
My signature piece right now would be anything high waisted, I just loveeee anything high waisted.
 What makes someone fashionable? 
What makes someone fashionable, hmmm, to me it would be someone who puts their clothes on with a purpose. Not just putting clothes on to cover their body or wearing things because of labels, but using the clothes to express themselves or send a message.
What do you suggest for someone who wants to dress better or be more fashionable?
I would say you need to be patient and try on a lot of clothes. It takes time to see what works well with your body and who you are as a person. The fit and fabric also make a huge difference.
What is the biggest mistake in fashion that athletes make?
The biggest mistake athletes make is getting the wrong cut/fit. We are strong, athletic, beautiful women, but everything isn’t flattering for our bodies. Like you might need to buy those dress pants two sizes bigger and get the waist taken in because they’ll look too tight on your thighs otherwise. I know there are some things I avoid because they just don’t compliment my body.crystal langhorne 2
What do you want fans or readers to know about you?
I want people to know that I’m NOT a fashion expert. I’m just a woman who enjoys wearing clothes that I believe makes me look great. And with this blog, I think I can help some people who want to dress better, dress better. And hopefully, if I can get other players to join, I can bring a different side to women’s basketball that can be highlighted a little more.
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Filed Under: Blog, WNBA

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